There are many interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower. One such fact relates to the famous landmark’s height. Including the antenna, the Eiffel Tower tops out at 1,040 feet. This makes it the tallest building in all of Paris, and it is fascinating to note that on a clear day, you can see it from up to 40 miles away.

In relation to weight, facts about the Eiffel Tower see the structure tipping the scale at around 7,000 tons. Because of its design, however, it doesn’t exert very much pressure on the ground below. An average-size person actually exerts about the same amount of pressure on the ground when sitting in a chair.

For those who are interested in Eiffel Tower history, the lofty tower was built in 1889 for the World’s Fair. As soon as it was finished, the controversy began in relation to the appearance. Some found it to be ugly, while others admired it. Those critics who were around in the early days would likely be surprised by the fact that today, the Eiffel tower is not only the main symbol of Paris, but of France on the whole.

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As for other interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower, the tower wasn’t meant to be permanent. Thankfully, its tip was an ideal place to put a radio antenna, and thus it was saved from demolition. Also, the Eiffel Tower was the world’s tallest manmade structure for several decades. Eventually, skyscrapers such as the Chrysler Building in New York City surpassed it in height. Speaking of New York City, it should be mentioned that the man who is responsible for designing the Eiffel Tower–Gustave Eiffel–also designed the framework for the Statue of Liberty.

Should you be interested in learning more about the Eiffel Tower, you can look to arrange a guided tour of the famous structure while in Paris. Some Eiffel Tower tours include such things as a dining experience at one of the tower restaurants or a cruise down the River Seine. Visit the tower from December to February, and you also have an opportunity to go ice skating on the rink that is installed on one of its observation decks.